If the Brady Brunch could redecorate their house in a cooler, fresher way, I imagine it would look something like this. Gregory, a creative director/artist, and Jenny, a co-owner of Principessa on Abbott Kinney, share this cozy bungalow near Venice Beach. They embrace the minimalist lifestyle by keeping only what they really need, and love to create a place they call home. Each piece of furniture and each item they have chosen feels intentional and also aligns with their relaxed, earthy, hippie style.

I found this home to be uniquely refreshing because nothing in it is new. Each piece was gathered over time and is meaningful to the couple. Gregory and Jenny have also created their own work spaces in their home. Jenny happens to co-own a hip clothing store, so she uses her workspace as both a typical office and a place to store her inventory of beautiful printed caftans and dresses. Gregory has his own Etsy store where he sells prints and artwork, and uses his office to create his artwork.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style:

J: Relaxed mid-century hippie (warm, cozy, earthy, organic).

G: Warm colors, wood objects, and lots of blankets.

Inspiration:

J: My mom and the way she decorated our childhood homes. There was never a shortage of houseplants, pottery, rugs, art, and textiles. I always strive to recreate that comfortable and welcoming environment. I could also spend hours reading old 70s design books like Woodstock Handmade Houses, The Craftsman Builder and Rolling Homes.

G: It lies somewhere between the Ingalls’ cabin from The Little House on the Prairie and the 60s modern living room from The Brady Bunch.

Favorite Element:

J: It’s hard to narrow that down to one, but it would definitely be something given to me by my mom that I grew up with in the 70s — the signed and numbered print given to her by Richard Carbotti, a hand-thrown pottery bowl from Spring Pottery (formerly in Newport, Rhode Island), a carved wooden owl from the Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair, and her hand-loomed patterned rug from Poland.

G: The wood carvings my father made, a bear given to me for my 13th birthday, and a face that my dad carved for his mom before he passed away.

Biggest Challenge:

J&G: We’ll go with the standard “that we rent” answer. It tends to limit the things you can do to the property, like add a redwood hot tub to the front yard (although it still may happen)!

What Friends Say:

J&G: “It’s so cozy, I could take a nap in here" is music to our ears.

Biggest Embarrassment:

J: That’s easy — the blinds. Obviously they came with the house, and I still haven’t got around to changing them out!

Proudest DIY:

J: Gregory built a beautiful garden bed for me in the backyard where before there was just dirt, old tree roots, and gravel. It was a long process that was obviously done right, because everything we plant there flourishes!

G: The backyard gets a lot of sun. Jenny wanted to get rid of the umbrella/table combo and wondered if we could build something else for shade. We came up with a three-legged, 10’ tall pergola with a 16’ shade arm and an old Indian tapestry that hangs like a sail in the wind. All pieces are routed out so it fits together like Lincoln Logs.

Biggest Indulgence:

J: The art. Sometimes a good frame job can cost more than the piece you’re framing...but it’s always worth it.

G: A growing collection of used novels and art monographs.

Best Advice:

J: Don’t be afraid of shipping! Some of my favorite pieces were found on visits back home to Newport, Rhode Island and on travels throughout New England, Oregon, and northern California. I can’t count the times I paid more for shipping than the actual item itself! But again, it’s always worth it.

G: The only piece of home advice I ever received was from my father. When I left Oregon to go to college in Southern California, he said, “Don’t hang heavy things above your bed. You’re moving to earthquake country.” I still follow it.

Dream Sources:

J&G: We’re pretty lucky to live in LA where we have such ample and easy access to wonderful mid-century stores, great thrift shops, and amazing flea markets — our dream sources! Specifically, Galerie Sommerlath and French 50s/60s, Surfing Cowboys and the Santa Monica Airport Flea Market. And I’ll be the first to admit I’m a bit of an Etsy and eBay junkie!